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Body image and the media

Whether it is from what they see on TV, online or in magazines, young people are under pressure to look ‘perfect’ at all times. Your child may follow celebrities on social media, such as Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber, celebrated for their narrow waists or big muscles. This may make them feel that they should look like their favourite actor or pop star.

Studies, such as Body Image: An Introduction to Advertising and Body Image, found that self-esteem among girls lowered by 80% just after 60 minutes of looking through magazines. It also found that 6 out of 10 girls thought they would be happier if they were thinner.

‘Self-esteem among girls lowered by 80% just after 60 minutes of looking through magazines’

It is a good idea to remind your child that the photos they see of their favourite celebrities, either in magazines or on their Instagram feeds, have been largely edited. Blemishes have been airbrushed and filters and professional lighting help accentuate certain facial and physical features.

Here is a quick checklist of activities you can do with your child to get them thinking about how celebrities are portrayed in the media and why it might be different for men and women.

Start a conversation – the next time you watch a film with your child or you see them viewing a music video online, ask them if they notice how ‘perfect’ everyone looked. Find out whether this bothers them and if it impacts their own self-esteem.

Redefine beauty – find examples of where TV shows, films or even beauty campaigns have celebrated everyone’s differences and done away with the conventional idea of beauty by celebrating people that come in all shapes and sizes.

Get critical – encourage your child to take every image they see in a magazine or online with a pinch of salt. Images are edited by professionals to look as perfect as possible and should never be taken at face value. Even images posted on Instagram can be edited using apps to make skin appear smoother or lighter.

This downloadable pdf contains expert advice from Dove Self-Esteem Project global experts from the fields of psychology, body image, self-esteem, eating disorders and media representation to create a resource for parents that is focused on advice and action.